Pam Penfield

NLJ

Last Tuesday, Maureen Caldwell, CEO at Weston County Health Services, invited the community and facility staff to join her in the boardroom as she revealed the contents of a time capsule placed by the Masons when the hospital was built in 1986. 

I was on-hand to witness the un-veiling. 

There were expected items, such as Masonic Grand Lodge books, papers, and a medal, an invitation to the dedication held May 17, a newspaper clipping of the groundbreaking, and copies of the Weston County Gazette, and my favorite newspaper, the News Letter Journal. 

Of special interest to the staff who gathered was a list of hospital and manor employees who worked there. Several people wanted to see the list, and see who still worked there now. 

There were also a couple of curious items, such as a tube of superglue with the price still on it— $1.50. Superglue was expensive 32 years ago! 

There was also a pack of Trident gum. Hmmm I wondered, as I watched Maureen hold it up, if we opened it would we even be able to chew it, or would it be teeth-cracking hard? 

We will never know as all of the items from that time capsule will be put right back where they came from, and more goodies were added to it on Wednesday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m. when they held their re-dedication ceremony. 

The time capsule will once again be placed by the Masons, and you can bet there will be a current issue of the News Letter Journal added to the time capsule this time around as well. 

I hope the staff and community enjoy the celebration of the now completed remodel and expansion of our hospital, and am glad our little community made the commitment to continue to enjoy having such a valuable resource right here at home!

Spoiler alert!

Next week’s News Letter Journal will carry a story detailing how tough 2017 was for Weston County. In addition to experiencing nearly four percent population loss (second in Wyoming to only Campbell County), we also earned the dubious distinction of leading the state in percentage decrease in sales tax revenue. In fact, we were one of only two counties (Crook County was the other) that experienced a decrease in sales tax receipts last year.

That means it probably isn’t the best time for the Weston County Commissioners to be talking about salary increases for elected officials, and we would argue that raises for those officials who work for the county in a part-time capacity are ill-advised.

We believe, however, that raises for the six elected officials who hold full-time positions in county government (Sheriff, Attorney, Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor and Clerk of District Court) are appropriate. We also think approving those raises at this time ensures the taxpayers of Weston County the best chance of reaping immediate benefits from the move.

First and foremost, the fact that those elected officials are paid less than they are in any other county in Wyoming is embarrassing. It’s terrible marketing, and creates something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Despite recent indicators, we don’t believe Weston County is the “poorest in the state,” but we soon will be if we act like that is the case.

It is hard to attract the best candidates for these positions if they are paid less than every one of their counterparts around Wyoming, and it is highly unlikely that we will ever entice potential candidates to move to this community if they can get a better paycheck for the position they are qualified for in any other county in the state.

These are professional positions— and the people who hold them have to go through the additional process of getting rehired through an election every four years. If we want those positions to appeal to the best possible candidates, we should pay them accordingly. If we want to maximize the potential for an immediate return on that investment, the best time to do it is right now— before the filing period begins for election to those offices this fall.

Bill Sniffin 

For NLJ

The smartest person I know was giving me his opinion about the future of jobs in Wyoming. It was a cautionary tale.

Jeff Wacker was the staff futurist for the huge Hewlett-Packard Company and its 320,000 employees before retiring a few years ago.

Our family was in north Dallas for Easter spending time with our daughter Amber, her husband Craig and three grandchildren. Wacker used to be a neighbor of theirs and still lives in the north Dallas area.

He grew up on a farm near Alliance, Nebraska but left the farm to be a computer programmer.

He worked his way up the ladder at EDS, a company founded by H. Ross Perot, where he became their futurist. When HP acquired that company, he became their futurist. When he tried to explain to HP that it needed to be a services company and not a hardware company, it was time to retire, he said. 

Wacker was the speaker at a conference I attended in Scottsdale 12 years ago when we all laughed when he held up his little cell phone and announced, “The future would revolve around this little box.” 

Of course he was right. Later I chatted with him and found out he lived in the same subdivision as my daughter. So we started meeting for lunch whenever I got to Dallas.

He loves Wyoming and our people. Perhaps being from western Nebraska helps, but he feels very comfortable with Cowboy State values. He voted for Donald Trump and even listens to conservative radio hosts occasionally. 

Wacker thinks Wyoming should be more aggressive in developing wind, solar and other alternative energy supplies. He thinks the coal, oil, and natural gas will still be viable sources of tax income to the Cowboy State for decades to come. 

But he really wanted to talk about the bigger picture, which he calls “the future without jobs.”  

He is working on a book that goes into great detail about nanobots (tiny, invisible robots), which will be everywhere in the near future. And these little buggers will eliminate a lot of work, as we know it.  

They will be in our bloodstreams keeping us healthy. They will monitor everything that runs and keep it all running. These tiny robots and lots of bigger ones, too, could pretty much eliminate 60 percent of the jobs, which begs the question: what are people going to do if there are no jobs?

Interestingly, as I write this, Fremont County, Wyoming, where I live, has the highest unemployment rate in the state and one of the highest in the country. 

But who needs jobs when you can get a guaranteed income?

Wacker is not a big fan of UBI (Universal Basic Income), which is a hot topic in California. But he sees it coming. And coming fast.

Some version of UBI used to be favored by about 10 percent of the population. Today, some 44 percent of the people in the USA favor some variation of it.

Essentially, it means everyone will get a monetary stipend whether they work or not. If you want more, then you take one of the scarce jobs that are left. Under a plan like this, every family in America will get paid about $40,000 per year just for being a citizen.

Wacker calls this future the Garden of Eden, where the individual has no worries. He also fears it could be like the Eloi and the Morlocks in the Orwell story “The Time Machine.”

If you recall from that historic movie, the Eloi lived a life of leisure but ended up being like cattle as the Morlocks ultimately ate them for dinner. 

He says A. I. (Artificial Intelligence) is coming fast, almost blindingly fast.  He says China is working on a quantum computer that, if developed, would make encryption impossible— and thus all things could be controlled. He worries about this development. 

Time will shrink, he says, to where change will come along so fast, human beings will not be able recognize or deal with the changes that are coming.  

He asks the question: What happens when intelligent machines make more intelligent machines?  How can humans control this?

As a futurist, these are the kinds of things that are worrisome.

So on the plus side, we might live a lot longer and be a lot healthier. On the minus side, we might be slaves to robots. 

Even out here in Wyoming, the future is rapidly heading our way.

Bill Sniffin is a retired newspaper publisher who has penned a number of books about Wyoming. Check out additional columns written by Bill at www.billsniffin.com. and find volumes from his coffee table book series, which have sold over 30,000 copies, for sale at the News Letter Journal.

By Bob Gardner and Ron Laird

Guest View

Many parents are trying to live the dream through their sons and daughters— the dream of landing a college athletic scholarship by specializing in a sport year-round. 

Unfortunately, most of these dreams are never realized. 

The odds of a sports scholarship paying for even a portion of a student’s college education are miniscule.  

The College Board, a not-for-profit organization comprised of 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions, reports that a moderate cost for college students who attend a public university in their state of residence is $25,290 per year. The annual cost at a private college averages $50,900.

Meanwhile, the most recent data from the NCAA reveals that the average Division I athletic scholarship is worth only $10,400.  More significantly, the same study shows that fewer than two percent of all high school athletes (1 in 54) ever wear the uniform of an NCAA Division I school.

Even if the dream is realized, parents likely will spend more money for club sports than they ever regain through college athletic scholarships. Thanks to the costs of club fees, equipment, summer camps, playing in out-of-state tournaments and private coaching, youth sports has become a $15 billion-per-year industry. 

There is an option, and it’s a financially viable one: Encourage your sons and daughters to play sports at their high school. 

In education-based high school sports, student-athletes are taught, as the term implies, that grades come first. The real-life lessons that students experientially learn offer insights into leadership, overcoming adversity and mutual respect that cannot be learned anywhere else. Unlike club sports, coaches in an education-based school setting are held accountable by the guiding principles and goals of their school district. And the cost of participating in high school sports is minimal in most cases.  

While there is a belief that the only way to get noticed by college coaches is to play on non-school travel teams year-round, many Division I football and basketball coaches recently have stated that they are committed to recruiting students who have played multiple sports within the high school setting. 

In addition, by focusing on academics while playing sports within the school setting, students can earn scholarships for academics and other talents—skill sets oftentimes nurtured while participating in high school activities. These scholarships are more accessible and worth more money than athletic scholarships. While $3 billion per year is available for athletic scholarships, more than $11 billion is awarded for academic scholarships and other financial assistance. 

Without a doubt, your sons and daughters will have more fun, make more friends and be better prepared for life beyond sport by participating in multiple sports and activities offered by the high school in your community. 

(Bob Gardner is the Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations and Ron Laird is Commissioner of the Wyoming High School Activities Association.)

 The News Letter Journal recently received an interesting and welcome phone call from Lorrayne Rotter Balsitis, age 92, of northern California. Balsitis, known as Lorrayne Rotter during her time in Newcastle, reads the History on Main Series each week because she still subscribes to her hometown newspaper. She was born at Salt Creek, Wyoming, but she said she moved to Newcastle around 1929 when she was just 4 years old.

The history on the Dogie Theatre sparked Balsitis’ memory. She recalls delighting in the picture show as a young girl. Balsitis said she started going to the show in 1935 when she was 10 years old, and each show cost 10 cents.

Her folks always tried to round up enough money for her to go to the movies she favored, though Balsitis explained that she had to wait until she was old enough to walk herself to and from the show and make her way home in the dark alone. Balsitis even remembers the address of her childhood home – 307 Cambria. The Dogie Theatre wasn’t under construction until 1950, so Balsitis must have gone to the Castle Theatre, which was located two doors south of the former Newcastle Drug in block 10. Balsitis remembers a time in the early 1940s when she ran around with her best girlfriend, Irene Adams, who used to work for “Shorty” Cleveland.

LARAMIE, Wyo. (APRIL 11, 2018) – University of Wyoming head coach Allen Edwards announced Wednesday the additions of three prep school players in Bradley Belt, Tariq Johnson and Brandon Porter along with junior college transfer Jake Hendricks to 2018-19 roster.

“I really believe this group fits what we were looking for in a sense of a little more maturity than the average high school player,” Edwards added. “All four of these guys have the ability to impact the program from day one.”

“The young men signing today fit in the range of 6-4 and up with great athleticism and length,” Edwards added. “This group also has the ability to really shoot the basketball. I’m pleased with these guys along with TJ Taylor, who we signed in the fall. Now we need to address a skilled big man and a guard.”

Belt is a 6-4, 205-pounder from Huntsville, Ala. He played last season at Washington Academy in Greenville, N.C., under former Cowboy graduate assistant coach Bruce Martin. Belt is ranked as a three-star recruit by Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports. He averaged 29.4 point per game at Washington Academy this past season. He added 3.3 assists per game and shot 42 percent from behind the arc. A graduate of James Clemons High School in Huntsville, earning All-Huntsville honors in both basketball and football. He played running back and defensive back on the gridiron. He had scholarship offers from Murray State and Alcorn State and received recruiting interest from Auburn and Alabama.

“Bradley (Belt) is a dynamic guard and is what I call a triple threat in that he can dribble, pass and shoot,” UW assistant coach Jermaine Kimbrough said. “He has great athleticism that can be expected to play in the Mountain West Conference. He brings a great level of leadership on both ends of the floor.”

Hendricks is a 6-5, 180-pounder from Smithfield, Utah. He comes to Laramie from College of Southern Idaho, as he will have two years of eligibility at Wyoming. Hendricks just finished a season that saw CSI make it to the National Junior College Championship game. He also set the CSI school record in career three pointers with 191. This past season, Hendricks averaged 12.7 points per game adding 3.8 rebounds per night. Hendricks hit 108 three pointers, as he started all 36 games for CSI last season earning All-Region honors. At Sky View High School, Hendricks earned Second Team All-State honors adding 16.1 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per contest. He received offers from Central Florida, East Tennessee State, Chattanooga and Sacramento State among others.

“Jake (Hendricks) is a guy that is going space the floor for us,” Kimbrough said. “He is a guy that played point guard in high school and his ability to handle the ball along with come off ball screens makes him a threat. He can really shoot the basketball. He played and competed for a national championship in junior college and comes from a great program that will benefit from our player development here at UW.”

Johnson, a 6-5, 200-pounder from Stevensville, Md., played at Mount Zion Prep last season. He averaged 17 points per game and seven rebounds per night at Mount Zion. He also added three assists per game and two steals per night. He played his high school basketball at Kent Island High School, as he scored over 1,000 points in two seasons. Johnson averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per game as a senior and 18.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game as a junior earning All-Conference honors both seasons. He holds the school record for points in a game with 42. He received scholarship offers from East Tennessee State, Siena, Wagner and James Madison.

“Tariq (Johnson) is a big body guard, who is a great leader and leads his team by example,” Kimbrough said. He is one of the guys that can play numerous positions that can shoot the ball and has great athletic ability. He has a great spirit that fits our culture.”

Porter, a 6-8, 190-pounder from Virginia Beach, Va. was a teammate of Belt’s last season at Washington Academy, also playing for Martin. At Washington Academy, Porter added 23 points per game to go along with 8.7 rebounds per night this past season at Washington Academy. He also added 2.1 assists per game and 3.1 steals, as he shot 39 percent from the three pointe line. He played high school basketball at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach. He earned All-Atlantic Conference accolades, as one of the top scorers in the area adding 17.3 points per game. He also received an offer from Hampton.

“Brandon (Porter) brings a great deal of versatility,” Wyoming assistant coach Jeremy Shyatt said. “He really fits the mold of an Alan Herndon and Hayden Dalton. He can dribble, pass and shoot, and with his size he really brings a lot to the table. When he is on the floor he makes the whole unit extremely versatile.”

The four signees join Trevon “TJ” Taylor, who signed with the Cowboys during the early signing period in November.

RaeLynn’s newest single “Queens Don’t” was released just last month.

Rolling Stone recently wrote, “Alternating between quiet verses bolstered by acoustic guitar strums and full-bodied choruses, “Queens Don’t” continues the progressive blend of pop and country she mastered on 2017’s Wildhorse. RaeLynn, who recently scored an ACM Awards nomination for New Female Artist, is currently playing shows as part of the CMT Next Women of Country on Tour, alongside Sara Evans and Kalie Shorr. Her next show is March 16th in Prior Lake, Minnesota.”

And the best part? She’ll be in Newcastle, Wyoming to celebrate the 4th of July with Weston County. The Fourth at the Four Way! With special guests the Williams Brother’s Band and Hill City Slickers.

Advance Ticket Sales are going on NOW at the NLJ and Pinnacle Bank.

Buy yours before it’s too late!

November 30, 1938 – April 9, 2018

Martha Marie Allender, 79, formerly of Newcastle, Wyoming, passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. She was a beloved wife and mother who touched the lives of many people around her with her quiet caring.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 15, 2018 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City. Services are set for 10:00 am on Monday, April 16, 2018 at the funeral home, with interment to follow at the New Underwood Cemetery.

Martha, affectionally known to many as “Skip,” was born in Newcastle, Wyoming on November 30, 1938. Her parents were Charles W. and Mabel Brown of Newcastle. She attended elementary school at Boyd School and graduated from Newcastle High School in 1956 where she was one of Wyoming’s top

4-H members and in 1958 was a delegate to the National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C.

Martha attended Black Hills Teachers College and graduated from the Pierre School of Nursing in 1959, where she was vice president of her class. Martha worked as a nurse in geriatrics for 25 years before retiring. In her later years, after returning to her hometown, Martha visited and helped care for her own elderly relatives, her beloved aunts Rachel and Lois.

Martha married her husband of 58 years, John Allender, on December 20, 1959. They lived in many places, including Omaha, Nebraska; Anchorage and Eagle River, Alaska; and Rapid City, South Dakota. Upon retiring, John and Martha moved back to Newcastle. Wherever they lived, Martha enjoyed taking long, rambling drives, whether along the Seward Highway in Alaska or through the Black Hills. Martha also loved spending their winters either visiting their children’s families or exploring sunnier locales for several years, including their routine home bases of Tucson, Arizona and Rockport, Texas. In January 2018, they moved to Sioux Falls for Martha’s cancer treatment and to be closer to their son, Ken.

Martha is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, John, and her sister, Jeannie Martin of Billings, Montana. She is also survived by her children and their spouses, Ken and Ann Allender of Sioux Falls; Colleen and David Anderson of Snohomish, Washington; Kathy and Josh Mize of Soldotna, Alaska; and Christina and Matthew Tennyson of Tucson, Arizona. Martha is also survived by her 9 grandchildren: Kevin, Michael, Zachary, Sarah, Ellen, Robbie, Kenny, Nicole, and David.

Cheyenne –The Wyoming Department of Corrections transferred a total of 88 Wyoming State Penitentiary inmates to Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Tutwiler, Mississippi.

60 of those inmates were moved on April 4, 2018, and the remaining 28 were moved on April 12, 2018. After a bus ride of approximately 32 hours, all inmates arrived safe and accounted for and are now going through the orientation process at their new facility.

Although it was not the WDOC’s preference, the transfer of inmates out of state was deemed necessary by the Department for multiple reasons:

There are a number of inmates housed in Wyoming county jails awaiting transfer to the Wyoming Department of Corrections. This allows for additional bed space in order to absorb these inmates into WDOC facilities.

Furthermore, as a multitude of contractors have begun repairs to the Wyoming State Penitentiary, it allows flexibility for internal inmate movement as this process continues.

In addition, WSP has relied on assistance from other WDOC facilities in order to augment staffing needs. This move will relieve the pressure placed both on institutional staff and WDOC staff who were required to work an abundance of overtime.

After considering a variety of options, Department officials determined that transferring long-term, high custody inmates was the most appropriate and cost-effective option. According to WDOC Housing and Classification Manager Carl Voigtsberger, the Tallahatchie facility has everything the Department was looking for such as experienced staff, inmate job availability, education and programming, an excellent medical program, and –most notably- room. The facility is big enough to allow Wyoming inmates to be housed separate from other inmates.

Devils Tower National Monument and the Devils Tower Natural History Association has partnered with Kids In Parks to create the first TRACK trail in the Wyoming Black Hills, the Red Beds Trail.  The dedication for the TRACK Trail  and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Saturday, April 28 at 12 noon at the trailhead in front of the visitor center.

“We are honored to be a part of the experience at Devils Tower National Monument, helping connect kids and families to one of our nation’s most fascinating natural wonders,” said Adam Rhodes, Program Manager, Kids In Parks. Kids in Parks is an expanding network of family-friendly outdoor adventures called TRACK Trails. Each TRACK Trail features self-guided activity brochures and signs that turn your visit into a fun and exciting outdoors experience.  Kids earn free prizes by walking the trails, completing the activities and tracking them on Kids in Parks  website. “We’re very excited to host this interactive TRACK Trail at Devils Tower.  The mission is simple; get families unplugged and outdoors. It’s a fun and healthy way to ensure children’s health and the health of parks,” said Nancy Stimson, Acting Superintendent.

The Red Beds Trail is a 2.8 mile (4.5 km) loop that offers great views of Devils Tower and the surrounding Belle Fourche River valley. You can access the trail from the visitor center parking area. Sections of the trail are steep, as it climbs up and down between the river valley and the visitor center.

To learn more about Devils Tower National Monument visit www.nps.gov/deto or www.facebook.com/Devils-Tower-National-Monument-Official-NPS-Site or twitter.com@DevilsTowerNM or Instagram at #devilstowernps .

As Wyoming’s snowpack begins to melt and rivers and streams begin to rise, it’s important to remember that flooding is not covered by homeowners insurance. Wyoming Insurance Commissioner Tom Glause encourages renters, homeowners, and business owners to better understand their flood risk and insurance coverage following the heavy winter snowfall in some portions of our state. Glause said, “Flooding of Wyoming rivers typically occurs in late spring or early summer as the mountain snowpack melts. Although parts of the state have had a relatively mild winter, some areas are expected to be heavily impacted by the spring run-off.”

Several weather factors including snowpack level, temperature, duration of warm temperatures, and additional precipitation can play a role in how the snowpack melts and filters to Wyoming streams, creeks, and rivers. “Take time to learn about how you can better protect yourselves and your property from the destruction brought on by a flood,” Glause said. Traditional homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. Because there is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy kicks in, this is a critical time of year for consumers to talk to their insurance agents about their policy’s limits and what other coverage options they have. Floods are the most common and most destructive of natural disasters in the U.S., with all 50 states having experienced floods or flash floods in the past five years, according to Floodsmart.gov. Although flood damage is not traditionally covered under a standard homeowner’s insurance policy, flood insurance is available for renters, homeowners and businesses as a special policy that is federally backed by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the federal program, managed by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) with responsibilities for providing flood insurance, improving floodplain management and developing maps of flood hazard zones. The NFIP allows property owners in participating communities to buy insurance to protect against flood losses. A homeowner is able to purchase excess flood insurance, but they must be covered by NFIP flood insurance first. For more information, consumers should contact their insurance agent, the NFIP (www.floodsmart.gov) at 1-800-638-6620, or the Wyoming Insurance Department (www.doi.wyo.gov) or at 1-307-777-7401.

According to FEMA, floods are the nation’s most common and costly natural disaster and cause millions of dollars in damage every year. Commissioner Glause reiterated, “a number of Wyoming’s communities experience spring run-off and related flooding. As temperatures warm, melting mountain snowpack flows downhill and, unfortunately, into people’s basements and yards.”

For some, flood insurance is a required condition of their home loan if their home is in a high-risk flood area. But flood insurance isn’t normally required just because you own property. According to a 2016 consumer insurance survey by the Insurance Information Institute, 43% of homeowners incorrectly believe that damage from heavy rain flooding is covered under their standard insurance policy.

Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in the 1960s, following a string of costly catastrophes, including 1965’s Hurricane Betsy, which caused more than $1 billion in damage. Property owners at the time had virtually no way of obtaining flood coverage, as private insurance companies had largely abandoned the market after absorbing crippling losses in the massive 1927 Mississippi River floods.

For over 50 years, the U.S. government has been the only real player in the flood-insurance market, underwriting the vast majority of home and business policies while largely relegating private insurers to a niche supplemental market. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been grappling with how to overhaul the federal National Flood Insurance Program, while a vocal faction is pushing to open up the market to private competition. More choices could give homeowners cheaper options. In the meantime, Wyoming property owners should assess their flood risk and seek information about flood insurance to protect themselves before the springtime floods are upon us.

(DOUGLAS, Wyo.)  April 16, 2018 – A public coordination meeting for the Thunder Basin National Grassland will be hosted by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on Thurs., April 19, 2018 in Douglas, Wyo. The meeting is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. and should last until approximately 2 p.m. at the Converse County Library. A lunch break is planned.

Grassland restoration and prairie dog colony management are the issues to be discussed, and the event will be co-facilitated by the USFS and University of Wyoming Extension. Agenda topics include:

• A review of collaborative implementation efforts on the Grassland in 2017 and planning/information about similar efforts in 2018: Various groups and agencies will be asked to give updates and information on planned projects. For the second year, a mapping activity will occur during the meeting, to assist in designation and prioritization of areas for potential treatment and restoration.
• Discussion about a future coordination group format: Ideas will be solicited regarding group logistics, participants, and topics of discussion, as well as suggestions for a convener and facilitator.
• Explanation, discussion, and distribution of an assessment: The assessment will query stakeholders about the effectiveness of recent land management efforts and the capacity of interested parties to continue collaboration. This analysis will be an important part of re-evaluating a dynamic situation and determining what a path forward could look like. Meeting participants will be asked to complete the assessment and will be given the opportunity to do so on site or at their convenience off site.

The meeting is open to all interested parties, and is a follow up to public and intergovernmental meetings held in 2016-17. The primary focus of all meetings has been collaborating and cooperating towards prairie dog colony management on private, state, and Federal lands within and near the Thunder Basin National Grassland.

Hosted by the U.S. Forest Service, past and present meetings are part of a collaborative effort in northeastern Wyoming, which encourages open, inclusive, transparent, and consistent communications with all interested parties, specifically neighbors and users of National Forest System lands within and near the Grassland.

Online information on Thunder Basin Prairie Dog Colony Management by the U.S. Forest Service can be found here,fs.usda.gov/goto/MBRTB/PrairieDogs.

The Douglas Ranger District administers the Thunder Basin National Grassland. For more information about management of the Grassland, call (307) 358-4690 or stop by 2250 East Richards Street in Douglas between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Senator says it is time for the Supreme Court to let states enforce their own laws, level playing field for brick-and-mortar businesses

Washington, D.C. –  After attending the oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court for South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., once again called on the court to overturn its previous ruling which barred states from collecting sales and use tax from remote sellers, such as out-of-state businesses and online retailers.

Enzi said the 1992 decision in Quill Corp v. North Dakota not only costs state and local governments significant revenue that they are owed, but also puts many main street retailers at a disadvantage by requiring them to collect a tax that online and out-of-state businesses do not.

“This issue is about fairness for states and local businesses,” Enzi said. “Because of the court’s decision 26 years ago, states are unable to enforce their own laws and brick-and-mortar businesses are being punished through no fault of their own. It’s time for the court to modernize our tax law for the 21^st century by allowing states to collect the taxes they are owed and letting businesses compete on a level playing field. Sales tax is used by particularly small towns to fix their infrastructure so they have streets that work and toilets that flush.”

Enzi joined U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., inMarch to submit an amicus brief in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., – also called a “friend of the court” brief – urging the Court to overturn its previous ruling in Quill.

CHEYENNE-Wyoming Insurance Commissioner Tom Glause is asking Wyoming consumers and Wyoming clubs and organizations to be aware of some recent scams and fraudulent schemes that have been perpetrated against fundraising efforts. Glause said, “Summer is coming and it is the season for many fundraising events such as golfing or fishing tournaments. Wyomingites should ask questions and be certain that the companies insuring these fundraising programs are legitimate.”

Frequently, when a business or organization intends to host a fundraiser with cash or other prizes to be awarded in a contest, they will seek insurance coverage for the cash or prize for the potential winner. “Sponsors of these events should be carefully vetting the company and the underwriter used for these promotions. It is important to protect your organization,” said Glause. “Some questionable individuals represent themselves as prize money insurers, when in fact they are not.” Glause clarified that there are credible insurers for these fundraising projects, but organizations should be cautious and verify the backers’ legitimacy. “All seems to go well with these bad apple companies so long as there is no winner. But, when there is a winner, the supposed prize money ‘insurer’ stops returning phone calls and sponsors are left with a very unhappy prize winner and a prize award they cannot pay.”

If you wish to verify the licensing status of an individual or insurer, please visit the Department of Insurance website at https://sites.google.com/a/wyo.gov/doi/home and select “Verify a producer’s License?” under the “How Do I” drop down box. Then select “Verify Licensure” from the options on the left side of the screen. If you would prefer, please contact the Wyoming Department of Insurance directly at 307-777-7401, to answer questions regarding the licensing status of any individual or entity involved in the insurance industry.

Several Fan Events and Activities Planned in Connection With the Spring Game

 Laramie, Wyo. (April 16, 2018) —  The 2018 Brown and Gold Spring Football Game will be held in War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 21 with several fan events and activities scheduled in connection with the Spring Game.  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Admission to the Spring Game is free and all parking will be free and available to fans, including the Ford Stadium lot.  Cowboy fans are encouraged to arrive early and tailgate and may do so by parking in the Ford Stadium lot starting at 8 a.m. through game time at 2 p.m.  Please note that the open container permit is only for beer, wine and malt beverages, and is only for the Ford Stadium lot.

UW Athletics will be hosting a “Swag Sale” of used and some new athletic department gear prior to the Spring Game.  That sale will be held in War Memorial Fieldhouse from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  Available gear will include Nike and Under Armor branded items and among the 5,000+ items for sale will be t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, shoes, backpacks, game used jerseys and more.  Most items are not available at retail, and fans will find a large assortment of extended sizes.  Prices of goods will range from $5-$35, with tax included in all prices.  Credit cards and cash will be accepted, no checks.  All prices and sales are final (no bartering), there are no refunds and all items are sold as is.  No bags will be allowed into the Fieldhouse & items are available for sale in-person only.  Admittance to the “Swag Sale” is free & open to the public.

New this year, fans may enter to win an opportunity to call a play during the Spring Game.  The lucky fan will be granted sideline access during a portion of the Spring Game and get to work directly with the coaching staff and student-athletes to call 1 play during the spring game.  All fans 18 and over are eligible to win and may enter here:http://GoWyo.com/CallAPlay

UW Athletics will be conducting the annual “select-a-seat” promotion with prime season-ticket locations available for fans to check out and secure for the 2018 season.  Ticket office representatives will be on hand to provide information and an opportunity to purchase season tickets.  Season tickets start at $159 for knothole seats ($89 for youth) and $235 for public section seats.  Once again this year, great seat locations are moving fast and fans are encouraged to check out options early.  Cowboy Joe Club donations are required for select sections.  Seatbacks will also be available for sale for the 2018 season.

The 2nd Annual Alumni Flag Football Game is also planned for Saturday, with several Cowboy Football alums anticipated to be in town.  The alumni football game will get underway at 11 a.m. on Jonah Field and is expected to last approximately one hour.  Some of the over 40 alums expected to be in attendance include former Cowboy greats: Nick Bebout, Conrad Dobler, Ken Fantetti, Derrick Martin, Ryan McGuffey, Pat Rabold, Mike Schenbeck and John Wendling with quarterback captains Randy Welniak and Casey Bramlet leading each team. A private reception will follow the game for alums and their families. Additional information and questions regarding the alumni flag football game may be directed to Randy Welniak at *protected email*

Once gates open at 1 p.m., fans can enjoy the beer garden & concessions, speak directly with ticket office representatives and (weather permitting) kids can enjoy the Pepsi Pre-Game Zone inflatables all in the south end zone.

Throughout the game, Wyoming Hall-of-Famer Kevin McKinney will be roaming the sidelines interviewing participants and all-time Cowboy greats on the videoboard.  Cowboy Football student-athletes will also be available to sign autographs and take pictures postgame on Jonah Field.

Gates will open for the Spring Game at 1 p.m.  Join us for a great day of events surrounding the Spring Game on Saturday, April 21st.

Little League Baseball is underway in Newcastle, and kids, parents, and coaches are all ready to shake off their cabin fever. Little League board president Brian Mefford told the News Letter Journal that while the league’s numbers were down a few years’ prior, interest in the community seems stable as of late. 

Due to the downturn in the local economy about three years ago, numbers were as low as 80, though participation had previously been up to around 130 kids. Mefford is confident that local interest is back up and growing in the Newcastle community. 

“We have a lot of parents and volunteers that, thankfully, fill coaching positions,” said Mefford, also stating that umpires are also volunteers. “We couldn’t do it without the parents’ and volunteers’ hard work and efforts.”

Feb. 26, 1957–April 5, 2018

Casey Ray Harney of Henderson, Nev., passed away unexpectently at his home on April 5, 2018. He was born in Lusk, Wyo., on Feb. 26, 1957, son of Raymond and MaryAnn (Vroman) Harney. They lived in Clareton, Wyo., where he attended a small country school. He then went to Newcastle, Wyo., for junior high and high schoool.

Casey joined the Marine Corps Feb. 26, 1974. He went to boot camp at 29 Palms, Calif., and was assigned to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N. C., later in 1974. Casey married Julie Quick in 1975 in Newcastle, and reported to Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, assigned as a radio technician. Julie joined him later in Hawaii, and two daughters were born. He enjoyed rodeoing with the Marine team. He also rode in the Pendleton Rodeo in Oregon. They returned to Wyoming in 1978 to work in the oil field. He attended Casper College and Northeastern Wyoming College Community on his GI Bill, obtaining an Associates of Arts degree. Casey and Julie divorced in 1990. He then moved to Spearfish, S.D., where he graduated from Black Hills State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with the college of Applied Science and Technology. He obtained degrees in math and physics, becoming a high school math teacher in Clark Fork, Idaho. He taught all the math classes along with coaching wrestling and football. He began his sailing obsession on Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. He and partner Debra (Wellman) Harney moved to Henderson, Nev., in 1999, and began teaching at Roy Martin Middle School and several high schools, ending at Basic Academy, which was close to his home. He enjoyed teaching several different math classes, making sure his students were successful in passing his courses and graduating from high school. He attended the University of Nevada at Las Vegas where he earned his Masters Degree in Education-plus 32 hours. He married Debra in February of 2000. He later replaced sailing with running, becoming an Ultra runner (any race more than 23.6 miles). He completed many 100- and 50-mile races. He would say he was on his second lap around the earth. 

He enjoyed fishing, camping, horseback riding and spending time in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming from the days of his youth through adulthood with his children and grandchildren. He loved growing up in Wyoming. He was very excited about his plans this summer to build a second home and playing with his new tractor in Show Low, Ariz. He spent many hours traveling to visit friends, family and going above and beyond to watch his beloved grandkids grow up. 

Casey was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and MaryAnn (Vroman) Harney; three infant siblings; three brothers, David Billings, Kenton East, Danny Jean Billings; and a nephew, Cody Schmidt. 

He is survived by his wife, Debra Harney; three daughters, Dusti, and Becky (Eric Saunders) of Gillette, Wyo., and Melissa of Pittsburgh, Penn.; two sons, Tom of Henderson, Nev., and Matt (Brena) from Las Vegas, Nev; beloved grandchildren, Brayden, Connor, Garrett, Kyler, Shelbi, Zaelur and Hadley; siblings, Randy (Rexanne) East of Texas, Sandy (Randy) Schmidt of Wyoming, and Vicki (Dell) Chase of Wyoming; and many nieces and nephews. 

A Celebration of Life was held at Palm (Boulder Highway) Mortuary on April 11 from 4-7 p.m., with the service at 6 p.m. Another service is being planned for July 2018 to be held in Wyoming.

Aug. 13, 1916–April 5, 2018

Comforted by family, Eleanor Quest passed away peacefully April 5, 2018, at age 101. Eleanor was born on the family homestead Aug. 13, 1916, to Ottelo (Pence) and Henry Clay George. 

Except for temporary moves to Missouri, she grew up with her sisters Elmorine and Betty on the same Weston County, Wyo., ranch. Her education took place in nearby country schools, and high school in Upton. To attend school in town, she boarded with relatives in Upton for a time, then in a cabin with her sister on a ranch close to town. 

After graduation, she taught in a country school until being disqualified by getting married. She taught in the country again during World War II as the nation experienced a shortage of teachers. 

Eleanor married Herbert Quest on Aug. 3,1935, in Custer, S.D. She joined him on the Quest family ranch a few miles from her family’s place. A small log cabin was their home for the first 16 years. The couple had one son, Herbert Jr., in 1936. They worked the ranch until retiring in the late 1980s. They prized the lifelong friendships made during this time. 

Herb and Eleanor very much enjoyed travel. Trips through Canada, the western United States, Missouri and a memorable trip to Hawaii were favorites. They attended a World’s Fair in San Francisco, Calif. Some years, multiple trips to Yellowstone National Park were made, depending on which guests passed through the ranch and needed guides. 

After retiring, they moved to Upton for four years, then to Buffalo, Wyo., to live with Herbert Jr. and Bonnie Quest, who provided many years of caring support. Herbert Sr. passed away in 1995 after 60 years of
marriage. Eleanor formed many lasting friendships in Buffalo. Members of the Church of Christ were like family. Agape Manor became her home in 2014 and was a wonderful place for her. A last move to Lasting Legacy Assisted Living in Billings, Mont., gave her the joy of a steady stream of visits from her large local family. It was truly a blessing seeing her playing with great-great-grandkids up to 100 years younger. 

Eleanor greatly valued these times with friends and family. Her generation experienced many trials and historic achievements. It was a treat to hear her perspective, especially about those folks she felt lacked common sense. She loved a good laugh. Her life could be described as simple and focused on others. Material possessions were not a priority, but a good visit or card game were. She taught us many lessons about graciously accepting life’s gifts. 

Eleanor is survived by her son, Herb Quest Jr.; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Davis; grandsons, Rick (Debby) Quest and Randy (Annette) Quest; great-grandchildren, Brandi (Judd) Norman, Rikki (Chris) Rumph, Tyler (Jai) Quest and Audrey Quest; great-great-grandchildren, Mason, Tommy, Gracie, Mikki, Lucas, Jacquelyn, Mahliah, Dylynn and another set of twins expected shortly. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ottelo and Clay; husband, Herbert; sisters, Elmorine and Betty; niece, Nancy; and beloved great-grandson, Mitch. 

Cremation has taken place under the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel.
A Celebration of Life will be held at City Church, 407 Wicks Ln., Billings, Mont., at 11 a.m., Saturday April 28, with Pastor Dave Johnson officiating.
The family thanks Agape Manor and Lasting Legacy for their outstanding, compassionate care.

July 20, 1941–April 7, 2018

Glenda Sapp, 76, of Upton, Wyo., passed away April 7, 2018, after a 35-year battle with multiple sclerosis.

Glenda was born in Scottsbluff, Neb., to Kenneth and Mary Catherine (Carey) DeMaranville. She grew up working in the family upholstery business along with her three siblings.

She graduated high school in Scottsbluff in 1959, and met her husband Ross while working at A&W in Scottsbluff and attending beauty school. They were married in September 1959 at the Baptist church in Scottsbluff, Neb., and after finishing beauty school they moved to Cimarron, Kan. She was a beauty operator and worked for an insurance company while in Cimarron.

In 1966, Glenda and Ross moved to Wyoming and moved to the Hagerman place between Sundance and Upton. She enjoyed riding horses and taking care of the ranch before going to work at Materi Exploration. She became very active in 4-H during that time, awarded in 1982 with the Outstanding 4-H Leader award, and managing the 4-H concession stand at Weston County Fair for numerous years. She was an avid bowler, played piano and organ at the United Methodist Church in Upton, and taught Sunday School there also for years. She loved gardening and flowers. She took pride in her home garden and managed rose gardens at Materi Exploration and at Union State Bank in Upton for several years.

She returned to school to finish her elementary education degree and attended college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., returning to complete her student teaching at Upton Elementary School. Using her education and passion for teaching, she tutored both children and adults in reading. 

In 1989, they moved to the Watt Ranch on Buffalo Creek Road, while Ross worked for Pickrel Land and Cattle. She took pride in cooking and baking. She cooked annually for the large brandings and loved to bake and prepare hundreds of cakes and cookies to be delivered on Christmas or donate to be sold at the church bazaar. She enjoyed sharing the country life with her 11 grandchildren as they came to visit over the years at the ranch.

She is survived by her daughters, RaDona (Jay) Borgialli of Gillette, Wyo., Shar (Chad) Escott of Faith, S.D., and Karre (CJ) Fisk of Rozet, Wyo.; grandchildren, Katie, Bryan (Ashley), Kyle Borgialli, Korey (Brie) Milliken, Mindy (Matt) Peters, Shelby Milliken, Tyrell, Troy, Shai, Sydnee and Tukker Fisk; great-grandchildren, Kirk Milliken, Colvin Perry, Briggs Borgialli, Brookley Peters and Pierce Milliken; siblings, Catherine Strauss of Gering, Neb., Steve DeMaranville of Scottsbluff, Neb., and Lynn DeMaranville of Ft. Colins, Colo.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Mary Catherine DeMaranville; and her spouse, Ross Sapp.  

In lieu of flowers, a memorial is established in Glenda’s name. The memorial will provide support for youth programs and Bibles to local churches to continue to spread God’s word. Memorial donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 238 Rozet, WY 82727.

Services were held April 12 at the Chapel of Faith in Sundance, Wyo., with the burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Upton.

Our front page story about a series of recently released state economic and financial reports paints a bleak picture of Weston County in 2017, but we are confident that we have turned the corner and hope members of this community will take a positive and involved approach to Newcastle and Weston County’s economic future.

Fortunately, another page one story in this week’s NLJ tells you exactly how you can do that— and it will only take five minutes of your time.

The Newcastle Area Chamber of Commerce is asking residents to take a little bit of time in the next week to participate in an online survey that they hope will help identify community improvements that are most needed and desired by the people who live here, and we ask all of our readers to participate by logging in to the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/4/NewcastleMSA (We’ve made it even easier than that by putting the ad in this week’s newspaper on the NLJ website, so you can also take the survey by simply clicking on the ad on the home page at newslj.com)

The Chamber has partnered with the Wyoming Business Council to develop a plan of action for community improvement, and the first step in creating and implementing that plan requires us— as residents— to identify the improvements we would most like to see.

As such, we ask that you not only take the survey, but also focus on the community’s needs instead of individual desires when you do so. We believe that community improvement is possible, but our resources will be limited and we will have to prioritize and work together if we truly hope to create a more positive and prosperous future for Newcastle and Weston County— and it will take a lot of us to pull it off. So take five minutes to fill out the survey and join our army today!